Catholics and communion?

Question

I know Catholics refuse to allow non-Catholics to take communion in their church. I don't understand this. I thought all Christians were eligible for communion. Communion is in remembrance of Jesus not in honor of a denomination. So can someone explain to me why a Christian would deny another Christian the opportunity to take communion? A chance to honor Christ? I just don't understand.

Everydaycatholic - Sorry but I really think you are wrong. Communion is about Jesus. Not about us. It is in remembrance of Him.

attack_of_the_5ft_girl - you say Catholics are the only ones who celebrate communion. Where do you get this idea? Every Christian church I know of celebrates communion.

tebone0315 - where does it say the church should decide who is worthy to take communion? The Bible says a man should examine himself before he eats the bread and takes of the cup. Not that the church should examine him.

1Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

Answer 1

Ok, where do I start on this one my friend? LOL

I was raised in a Catholic home, and communion had absolutely nothing to do with my state of grace, or my belief. In 2nd grade the kids took their first communion. We got fancy dresses, and suits for the boys, and there was a couple of our classes that told us what it was about. I was never asked my beliefs, and I can assure you I had absolutely no relationship with Jesus Christ whatsoever. In fact, I never prayed on my own, and had never once opened a Bible.

Later, we made our first confession. Took a middle name, and that whole thing. Looking from a Biblical and Christian view, how backwards is that? Learn to confess sin AFTER taking the Lord's supper. I mean, really, think about the extraordinary backwardness of that.

My mom, rest her soul, never took communion because she married my dad, who was divorced and she could not longer take it. Here I, a teenager having sex, and doing all kinds of things went up for communion, and my mom, a simply wonderful mother and wife could not. She had confessed her sin, yet the Catholic church said she was not worthy. I can assure Jesus did not feel the same.

Now that I left the Catholic church and have become a Christian, the Lord's supper, as we call it in our non-denominational church, means more to me than it ever could before. Before, it was doctrine, now, it is Jesus' body and blood we remember. At our church, Kevin, our Pastor, and yes, we call him Kevin, tells all visitors that if they have made a decision for Jesus, they are welcome, and it is up to parents on their children's beliefs. My 10 year old participates, and so do many much younger. She will be baptized next summer at the beach.

Again, you have raised a wonderful subject, and one that really get's me talking, huh?

God bless you.......

Answer 2

I understand where you are coming from. Catholics don't take communion the same way that other Christians do. Christians take communion as you said take communion in remembrance of Jesus as a symbol of the last supper. Catholics take communion with the belief that we are actually consuming the body and blood of Jesus Christ. We don't want others to take communion that don't believe or understand what they are receiving. That is the same reason a child must be a certain age before they can receive communion and the same reason the impure Hearts need to repent before receiving the Eucharist. We believe that the Eucharist is the actual physical presence of Christ. Hopefully you can read into this and see that we don't think that we are any better than anyone. Every mass we thank and pray to God for letting us receive the body and blood of Christ even though we are all unworthy. I understand what you are asking and i hope that i was some help.


God Bless.

Answer 3

Since Vatican II several non-Catholic Religions are now allowed to recieve communion. Eastern Orthodox and various Eastern Non-Catholic Churches. Also the Polish National church is also allowed.

However I think you are asking why most protestants are not allowed o recieve communion. The reason why is that the Catholic Church always taught that one must be in the state of grace (i.e. not having commited a morta sin). Since protestants do belive in the idea of confession as catholics do, they are not allowed to recieve communion.

I hope I have helped.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CatholicWorld/

Answer 4

I know that it seems harsh but in the Catholic Church, we have to prepare for each sacrament. Therefore, not all Catholics can receive communion in the Catholic Church either, just the Catholics that have received the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. You are welcome to come up during Communion to receive a blessing. I'm sorry that you felt offended because you were not able to have a host but keep in mind that the Catholic Church celebrates the 7 sacraments and just as a priest must be ordained through Holy Orders, Christians must receive the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to partake in Communion.

Answer 5

the two church homes coach that Christ is unquestionably modern-day, and as such, are Holy Sacraments. And the two are basically offered to shown participants of that church (even in spite of the incontrovertible fact that the ELCA has open communion). differences: Catholic - Transubstantiation. Upon being blessed, the bread and wine are actually not any further bodily there, yet are basically injuries that we see. There are basically 2 aspects in Holy Communion... physique and blood of Christ. And, it continues to be as such till it somewhat is ate up. Lutheran - Sacramental Union. in some unspecified time interior the destiny Christ enters the bread and wine. we don't understand how, we don't understand while. yet, all of us understand that Christ's physique and blood are in, with, and below the bread and wine. All 4 aspects are there. we don't coach consubstantiation, meaning that Christ is there spiritually. We coach actual Presence, no longer religious. And at no factor is is basically an emblem. ETA: Saint Cog's aquaintances are curiously incorrect, surprisingly in the event that they're LCMS. If one have been to study Luther's Small Catechism, no the place does it say symbolic. And this is actual for ALL Lutherans.... particular, even the ELCA teaches actual Presence and Sacramental Union. From the Catechism: what's the Sacrament of the Altar? this is the actual physique and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, below the bread and wine, for us Christians to consume and to drink, instituted via Christ Himself.

Answer 6

For Roman Catholics participation in communion means also unity in discipline and belief. It is a lie for them to share communion with those not in unity with the Holy See, the Pope. They also believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated elements, rather than a simple memorial meal. This sacrificial understanding is essential to them for all who worthily receive communion. Since many Protestants do not share this understanding, Catholics consider sharing the Eucharist with them a sham. I do not agree with this viewpoint since there is only one Christ, and no one this side of heaven has anything like a perfect understanding of the sacramental mysteries. Communion is meant to draw us together in Christ and consecrate us as His Body, whatever our understanding may be of the elements. Following the Orthodox practice, my daughters were admitted to communion at their baptism, and never recall a time they didn't receive. As an Anglican, I have also concelebrated Mass with the Maronite Archbishop of Nazareth, as well as other Catholic priests in communion with Rome before statements were made prohibiting such practices.

Answer 7

Non Catholics reject that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ. One must believe truly that this is Christ in the presence of bread and wine, non Catholics dont


The Holy Eucharist is the most important of the seven sacraments because, in this and in no other sacrament, we receive the very body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Innumerable, precious graces come to us through the reception of Holy Communion.

Communion is an intimate encounter with Christ, in which we sacramentally receive Christ into our bodies, that we may be more completely assimilated into his.

The Eucharist also strengthens the individual because in it Jesus himself, the Word made flesh, forgives our venial sins and gives us the strength to resist mortal sin. It is also the very channel of eternal life: Jesus himself.
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. "

Scripture is clear that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, it is normally impossible for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion, for to do so would be to proclaim a unity to exist that, regrettably, does not.

Another reason that many non-Catholics may not ordinarily receive Communion is for their own protection, since many reject the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Scripture warns that it is very dangerous for one not believing in the Real Presence to receive Communion: "For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died" (1 Cor. 11:29–30).

Answer 8

Actually, this is somewhat of a myth. Of course Catholics would love to share Communion with anyone -- the idea of giving the body of Christ to anyone is wonderful. However, because we are the only ones that celebrate it, the idea is that Communion is a special part of Catholicism and therefore isn't given to just anyone, including fellow Catholics who haven't done the preparation rites for it, (i.e., baptism, confession) or who have "lost" their right to it (i.e., divorced).

Communion is NOT denied, however. You can always take Communion, even if you're not Catholic. It's not like they look at you sand say "You didn't confess yesterday, you can't have it." It is administered to everyone, it's up to those who take it to know the rules of it and choose to respect them or not.

Answer 9

Not even all Catholics are eligible for Communion (Eucharist). A catholic must be ina state of grace and in union with the rest of the Catholic Church to receive communion.

Eucharist is a sign of our unity in Christ. You and I are not in unity with each other, though you may be in unity in Christ and so am I. Christ is big enough for Him to be in unity with you and me, though we are not in unity.

For this reason, it is inappropriate for me to participate in your Communion.

The simple fact is that there are too many doctrinal differences between you and me for there to be unity. For my to participate in your communion or yours in mine would be stating something that is not true.

Answer 10

You are right. Jesus would have surely rebuked all the denominations that hold back communion to a person who believes in Jesus....just as He said to the Pharisees, " 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"